Cross two Brits: one edgy modern designer, the other a furniture maker with a rich 200 year history and what do you get? The partnership between Tom Dixon and George Smith has yielded some pretty rich fruit. Case in point, Wing Chair.
I think almost eveyone has some sort of a Wing Chair memory - for me, it was the two Wing Chairs in the living room of my childhood home. They were the focal point of the large, but sparsely furnished room. They started out in some heavy dark green fabric, lightened up a little when my mother reupholstered them in some kind of a medium blue and green paisley pattern. Later, the upholstery was a big all over floral in gold, orange and avocado – guess what decade that was. Those chairs still stand in my parent’s much smaller living room and they are still the best seat in the house.
That little story proves a few points – there is something to be said for a quality piece of furniture. Those chairs have lasted my parents over 40 years – talk about sustainability. It also proves that a chair is more than a chair when it does its job extremely well.
Tom Dixon’s Wingback Chair and Footstool is big and cozy with soft curves and exaggerated wings. Generously proportioned at over 51″ tall, 27″ wide and 34″ deep, it comes upholstered in one of 15 colors of mohair velvet. The solid turned leg is in a black lacquer or natural finish. The chair is expensive, but I’m guessing it is quite capable of dutifully providing many years of service.
Inform Interiors, one of the most comprehensive modern furniture dealers in the Seattle area is moving – that is good news if you’re looking for some great deals on modern design. The sale runs May 1st through May 17th – doors open at 10am. Discounts are available on in-stock and special order pieces -Floor models are up to 70% off – I’m thinking its worth a visit. Inform Interiors
In the category of put your money where your mouth is, I’m back. I recently purchased this Newspaper Stand for a friend. When it arrived, I was surprised at how generous the piece was. It is true to the dimensions, but I don’t visualize things like that. I was expecting good quality and thoughtful detailing – I was not disappointed. The stand is silver metal; the holder is made from the spun paper yarn, for which the company is known. Made from Kraft paper, the fibers are dense and reportedly do not collect dust or dirt. The handles are natural wood. The concept is brilliant in its simplicity – you fill the holder with newspapers and magazines. When you decide its time to recycle, simply lift the handles off the frame, visit the recycle bin and then return the carrier to the stand. I also love the fact that the carrier is made from that which is being recycled. I got mine from Suite New York. Priced at about $150.
Pomp Home in Culver City is pleased to announce that it has become an exclusive dealer for Jesse – Italy. The line is sleek, customizable, Italian design at an affordable price. The extensive line includes closet systems, bedroom, living room and dining room furnishings. Shown here are the Frame Credenza which is available as a raised, floor or wall mount piece and the Elysee Bed, a fully upholstered bed with an optional skirt. I have been to the showroom and seen both Frame and Elysee, these are nice pieces – definitely worth a visit if you are in the LA area.
Baleri Italia was begun in 1984 by Enrico Baleri to merge high design from new talent with function, executed with cutting edge technology. Early designs included the Cartoons Screen, designed in 1992 by Luigi Baroli. Made from corrugated paperboard and now in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art. In 1997, Denis Santachiara introduced the Celine Table, a delicate, yet undeniably modern accent table. In 1995, the same designer offered the Tato Family which stretches an elastic fabric over a polyutrethene forms.
In 2000, noted fashion designer Nino Cerruti, sold his design house. He reportedly remained involved with the business, but by 2004 became the majority stockholder in Baleri Italia. Being immersed in the world of fashion and textiles for so many years brought something entirely new to Baleri. By 2006, the influence became apparent. Valentina C by Maurizio Galante “dresses” a steel rod structure with a free form upholstery with a handmade flower detail. American Jeff Miller becomes a big influence with pieces such as Littlebig Chair in which a single sheet of plywood curves around the front of the frame leaving the back and seat floating. Naked by Alberto Colzani (2007) economizes on the material used by engineering a structure which acheives high design, lightness and function (its stackable) - the original mission of company is still alive after 25 years.
The company is introducing a new identity: Cerruti Baleri. We are getting a glimpse of what that means via some new products. Sumo by Xavier Lust – sort of a Rubenesque family of upholstered seats that generously envelopes its occupant. Then, what’s old is new again: remember the Tato Family introduced about 15 years ago? Well its gotten a Tatto by Maurizio Galante. The new covers for the classic pouf are photographic images on elastic covers. There are a bunch of snakes, the skull of a hippo, a bunny and a flamingo.
Cerruti Baleri will be unveiling new designs in Milan this week. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for this compelling partnership.
Turning a house into a home is one of life’s true labors of love. In working with us, you will discover that we never lose sight of bringing the client’s vision to life. We will ensure that your house feels like a home you designed, not one that was just designed. Our residential experience spans from decorating to small bathroom or kitchen renovations, to complete interior remodels of some of Los Angeles’ most architecturally significant homes.
Velvet Hammerschmidt Design
1601 Cloverfield Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310.828.7900 www.V-HDesign.com
Judith Dobrzynski writes a review of this exhibit at the Indianapolis Museum of Art in the Wall Street Journal today. In it, Ms. Dobrzynski describes how curator R. Craig Miller has organized the show into a loose chronology and grouped the over 250 works into conceptual categories. From Decorative to Neo-Decorative, Modernist, Postmodernist and back again. While her impressions were mixed, she acknowledges an explosive growth in the public appetite for modernism and conjectures as to its cause. Read The Decorative and Beyond.
The Comma Leather Chair designed by Renata Kalarus for Noti has been awarded an 2009 Red Dot Honorable Mention. The designer was inspired to give pause (comma) time to think. The result is subtraction – a comma shaped scoop removed where the seat meets the back of the chair. The double thickness of the back gives the chair a little extra presence. The optional contrasting upholstery further accentuates the major design element.
Noti is a relatively new Polish design company introduced in 2005 by Ryszard Balcerkiewicz. The company is home to designs by eight designers. In the short time it has been in existence, the company has received several awards for its products. Noti is available through IQMatics, Chicago.
Put your money where your mouth (or in this case, your keyboard) is. I did – I purchased Joy by Design House Stockholm. Seven candles sort of leaning on one another for support. The designer, Josefin Hagberg, was inspired by the joy of being with the ones you love. These candles are made of steel in place of wax and little low voltage bulbs in place of flame. I must say, it does bring me joy. I just like to look at it and I turn it on almost every evening.
Sometimes when we search for the latest and greatest, we forget about designers that have been churning out great products for years. Right off the bat you can associate the bright and bold red flowers with the Finnish textile company, Marimekko. Founded in 1951, the company harmoniously infuses nature into its modern designs. What you may not realize, is that they have kept it coming in a wide range of designs and products. I was particularly struck by the wide range of bedding offered a reasonable price – many of their twin duvet and pillow cover sets start at about $100. We have selected a few of the 36 patterns in the collection. Our selections demonstrate the diversity of the Marimekko collection – from bold graphic to soft nature-inspired imagery. Kevatjuhla (Spring Festival) celebrates the season with Cows and their calfs in the field. Tuuli (Wind) depicts windblown trees. Kaivo (wells) is a high contrast bold print. Keisarinna (Empress) is a bold yet regal floral pattern. Finally, the classic Uniko (poppy), almost synomous with Marimekko is as powerful as ever. See them all at Marimekko. FYI the Finnish to English is via Google Translate, hope its accurate!
Turning a house into a home is one of life’s true labors of love. In working with us, you will discover that we never lose sight of bringing the client’s vision to life. We will ensure that your house feels like a home you designed, not one that was just designed. Our residential experience spans from decorating to small bathroom or kitchen renovations, to complete interior remodels of some of Los Angeles’ most architecturally significant homes. 
